Snow in Ballarat? It’s not as rare as you think

SEEING as how it's getting cold - really cold - we decided to take look back at snow days in Ballarat over the years - starting with 1887.

If you have a great snow photo of Ballarat over the years - send it to jordan.oliver@fairfaxmedia.com.au to have it included.

1887 - Think it's cold this winter? Take a look at the conditions on June 6, 1887 (above). This image of locals wandering about in the snow in Sturt Street was tweeted by the City of Ballarat last week. Makes this week look tropical.

1901 - Christmas in Ballarat usually means hot days with the sprinkler on - not snow and icy conditions. But that's exactly what happened in 1901 according to the Museum of Victoria. This shot at Cowley's Foundry and the goods shed of the East Ballarat-Melbourne line.

Cowley's Foundry and the goods shed of the East Ballarat-Melbourne line. Christmas Day 1901. PICTURE: MUSEUM VICTORIA

1901 - Another amazing one from 1901 - this time of the Sturt Street median strip.

Picture: MUSEUM VICTORIA

1901 - Track works are keeping trains stalled on the Ballarat line at the moment - but there was a much different reason - a much colder reason - for no trains to Ballarat in 1901.

Ballarat rail line. PICTURE: MUSEUM VICTORIA

1902 - Snow in Ballarat has always been a novelty. Even more than a century ago. These people took the chance to jump in a photo with a snowman they had cobbled together during 1902.

Men with a snowman in 1902. PICTURE: MUSEUM VICTORIA

1902 - More people jump in a photo with a snowman they cobbled together in 1902.